Why sex and gender matter in terms of health and the environment

The need for a sex- and gender-based analysis of environmental effects on health is urgent. Whether it’s climate change or our daily exposure to toxins in the air, water or food, the environment affects our health, and the effects are different for women and men.

Since the 1930s, scientists have produced an impressive body of evidence to show the different effects of toxic exposures on women and men. And in recent years, women are finally beginning to be heard on the international scene about the impacts of climate change—demanding input into decision-making around climate change that recognizes the different impacts on women and men, girls and boys.

The following resources provide selected background research, links to some of the work by CWHN and our partner organizations, and practical resources that inform and inspire action.

For more information: The CWHN databases, from which these resources are drawn, are updated regularly with new resources. For more information about women’s health and the environment, please search our databases with terms such as “environment,” “toxins,” and “climate change.” Search our database.

Full Circle: Drugs, the Environment and our HealthBy Sharon Batt from Women and Health Protection, Network, Fall/winter 2008-09, Volume 11, Number 1Discusses the fact that trace amounts of pharmaceuticals have been detected in Canada’s lakes, rivers, streams and tap water and other chemicals from food and drug products have also been detected, as have veterinary and agricultural chemicals. Notes that new biologics, genetic therapies and genetically modified foods are more recent-comers that could end up in this “chemical soup.” Examines this neglected form of environmental contamination from a public health perspective, with particular attention to its impact on women’s health.

NNEWH and Women and Health Protection will coordinate input on women’s health impacts related to the federal Chemical Management Plan (See section on government resources).

Women and Health Protection (WHP)WHP is a coalition of community groups, researchers, journalists and activists concerned about the safety of pharmaceutical drugs. The group keeps a close watch over ongoing changes in the federal health protection legislation and examines the impact of those changes on women's health. Their documents make clear recommendations to the government for Canadian legislation that truly provides "health protection."

Prevent Cancer NowNational organization focused on making primary prevention of cancer a priority through education, legislation and policy changes.

Canadian Network on Human Health and the Environment CWHN is a member of this network of non-governmental, research, health professional and policy organizations that presents seminars (webinars) and has a process in collaboration with Health Canada to select delegates for government consultations.

Climate Change and Canada: An Untapped Opportunity to Advance Gender Equality? By Jimena Eyzaguirre, Network, Volume 11, Number 1, Fall/winter 2008-09Discusses this lead-up to international discussions on a path beyond the Kyoto Protocol that is an opportunity to reflect on Canada’s action on climate change. A number of issues related to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping communities adapt to climate change impacts are being discussed. However, addressing gender differences in government policies and programs has not been among the topics of discussion.

Boom, Bust and Beyond: Women’s Perspectives on the Mountain Pine BeetleReport from a forum in northern British Columbia, 2008Reports on a forum in March 2008, when women gathered at the University of Northern British Columbia to explore the social, economic and health-related impacts of the mountain pine beetle (MPB) infestation, and to identify issues and concerns as described by women in beetle-affected communities. The forum “Boom, Bust and Beyond: Women’s Perspectives on the Mountain Pine Beetle” demonstrated why and how the beetle epidemic requires a gendered lens to fully understand its impacts.

Toxins, hormone disruption and women’s health

Toxins in ToiletriesBy Madeleine Bird, Network, Fall/winter 2008-09, Volume 11, Number 1 Discusses how toxic chemicals that have the potential to cause chronic or life-threatening harm (carcinogens, reproductive and developmental toxins, allergens, sensitizers), to change the way our body’s hormonal systems function (endocrine disruptors), or to change our DNA (mutagens), sometimes permanently so that those changes are passed on to our children, can be found in beauty aisles and at cosmetics counters.

Cancer: 101 Solutions to a Preventable EpidemicBy Liz Armstrong, Guy Dauncey, and Anne Wordsworth, New Society Publishers, 2007A ground-breaking book that provides solutions for everyone from individuals to big business to labour to government. Contains practical tools for parents, youth and NGOs.

Evra and the Environment By Suzanne Elston for Women and Health Protection, 2004Discusses Evra, the first contraceptive hormonal patch approved for use in Canada, and the risk, when discarded, of the patch leaking the residual hormone into the ecosystem and polluting our waterways.

DES Action Canada Hormonal Pollution Alert See the resource kit for DES Action’s Hormonal Pollution Alert project, under “Publications” on the website for resources and background on endocrine disruption and the impacts of the drug diethylstilbestrol (DES).

Sandra Steingraber’s websitePoet, ecologist and author of numerous books on environmental links to cancer and other diseases (Having Faith, Living Downstream).

Breast Cancer Action Montreal (BCAM) Safe Cosmetics CampaignBreast Cancer Action Montreal (BCAM) is a non-profit activist/advocacy group directed by women who have been sensitized to the trauma of breast cancer (affecting themselves or someone close to them) and who are committed — long-term — to erasing the disease. They educate about environmental toxins linked to breast cancer.

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (US) The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics is working to protect women’s health by eliminating the use of chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects and other health problems. (See also Breast Canada Action Montreal)

Breast Cancer Fund (US) Source of evidence-based research and action on breast cancer prevention, especially environmental links to breast cancer, from some of the most respected experts in this field.

Exposure: Environmental Links to Breast CancerWHEN is a non-profit, charitable organization that works with communities on prevention initiatives addressing environmental links to health. This video was conceived in response to the growing public debate about the implications of our contaminated world on the health of women. Clips from Exposure can be viewed on YouTube.

Toxic Trespass This film from the Women’s Healthy Environments Network (WHEN) investigates the growing evidence that we are conducting a large-scale toxicological experiment on our children, and explores what some scientists, doctors, activists and others are doing about it.

Chemical Management PlanChemical Substances, 2007A Government of Canada initiative to review and assess chemicals in use and proposed for use in Canada. (See Canadian Environmental Network for information on public engagement).